I’ve done it three different times, and each time, as that due date approaches, the intensity starts to build. ⁣

I would feel that excitement to bring a new baby into the world.⁣

But I knew that I would have to experience a lot of physical pain, uncertainty, potential complications, and sleeplessness in order to get to the other side. ⁣

It’s excitement, it’s anxiety, it’s trying to be peaceful and hoping everything will go smoothly. ⁣

And then, after the journey, the new baby is laid on your chest.⁣

What a feeling. ⁣

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:” (Isaiah 53:4) ⁣

I’ve carried and birthed three sweet little babies. ⁣

And Isaiah teaches us that our Savior has carried and borne every sorrow, trial, and tragedy we’ve experienced. ⁣

He’s struggled and become fatigued with what we currently have to endure. ⁣

Which in turn, I believe, gives Him a special kind of love toward us. ⁣

“No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child.” – Elder Holland⁣

I love this motherly imagery because I am a mother, and the relationship between brutal physical sacrifice and devoted love is one that I’ve experienced firsthand. ⁣

But I also know that you don’t have to be a mom to know this. ⁣

The Savior loved us and was willing to endure real actual physical pain to then love us even more wholly. ⁣

Which means that maybe, just maybe, when we willingly sacrifice on a much smaller scale on His behalf, we grow a special kind of love for Him, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Borne and carried first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’ve had to make plenty of sacrifices in my life, but none come even close to what this widow was prepared to do. ⁣

And yet, here comes a man: 

Elijah.⁣

He was fully aware that she was making food using the last of her provisions, and yet he still asked to be fed first. ⁣

Elijah also promised that her barrel of food and her oil would never run out as long as she needed them. ⁣

This all sounds pretty impossible. ⁣

And then add on that the land was in the middle of a dramatic drought. ⁣

Completely impossible. ⁣

But this widow must have felt something in her heart. ⁣

She must have felt the Spirit whisper that this traveler was not just any random man asking for a seemingly selfish favor. ⁣

She decided to trust in the prophet and in the Lord. ⁣

Not just in word, but in deed, too! ⁣

“And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.” (1 Kings 17:15) ⁣

Feeding Elijah could have led to her immediate death, but instead, this faithful widow trusted in the Lord and wasn’t afraid to take a big risk to prove Him right. ⁣

Do we have that kind of trust in the Lord that we would be willing to risk it all, knowing that He will fulfill His promises?⁣

When it seems improbable, illogical, or even impossible?⁣

For with God, nothing is impossible. ⁣

But we’ve still got to do our part. ⁣

Ask the question. Act on that prompting. Say the prayer. Ponder and problem-solve. ⁣

And then trust in God.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Food and Oil first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

King Saul was chastised by the prophet Samuel.

He had taken some sheep and oxen from their enemies during battle, directly disobeying the Lord’s commands.

Samuel told the king:

“To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

I’ll be honest that this scripture has confused me for a long time.

Isn’t sacrifice good?

Doesn’t the Lord want us to sacrifice things for Him?

But I finally found some meaning in this advice when I was sacrificing a lot of sleep, effort, and many of my talents for my calling at church…

While ignoring promptings that I need to do better at teaching my family the importance of the scriptures.

What I learned is that sometimes WE want to sacrifice the things that we want to sacrifice for the Lord…

Instead of just obeying what He has already commanded or prompted us to do.

ABSOLUTELY many of the commandments require sacrifice in order to obey—

That’s really not we are talking though.

What the Lord needed to teach Saul, and each of us, is that we step into spiritually dangerous territory when we trick ourselves into thinking that simply because we are sacrificing something for a good cause (whether that’s fulfilling a calling, paying tithing, attending the temple on a schedule, or sending out a missionary) that we are being obedient to the Lord.

Those sacrifices are so good.

Just like offering an animal sacrifice was in Saul’s time.

But if we do it at the expense of obeying our first and great commandment: to love the Lord God above all else, then we are in spiritual danger of deception.

I thought I was on the right track by fulfilling my calling at church.

But I realized I was offering a sacrifice that I wanted to make (or felt I had to make) while ignoring the things that would actually bring me to a closer relationship with my Savior.

Nothing else will matter in the end if we don’t know and love the Lord with all our heart and soul.

And the best way to show and grow that love?

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Am I offering God the sacrifice I want to give, or the obedience He is asking for?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Is obedience really better than sacrifice? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And you know what?⁣

It’s okay. ⁣

I don’t understand all the intricacies of what my own parents did day in and day out to provide the life for me that I had. ⁣

And then I think about my spiritual heritage. ⁣

All 16 of my great-great-great grandparents on my mom’s side joined the church at some point, usually at a great physical or financial sacrifice. ⁣

And I’ve got a similar spiritual heritage on my father’s side. ⁣

I will never fully understand what they had to give up, the hard decisions they had to make, and the cost of their consistency and devotion to the gospel. ⁣

And it’s okay that I don’t fully understand (although I love learning their stories).

What Joseph Smith sacrificed to bring forth the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and numerous other revelations is incomprehensible. ⁣

“The reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world.” (D&C 135:6)

He sacrificed his own life for the cause. ⁣

I will never fully understand what that is like. ⁣

And I will never fully understand what my Savior Jesus Christ did for me, and continues to do for me. ⁣

I learn, I study, I receive blessings, and I get little glimpses into what He has done. ⁣

But I’ll never truly “get it”. ⁣

Not understanding the extreme sacrifices of our predecessors is a natural, short-sighted, human thing to do. ⁣

But that doesn’t excuse me from the opportunity to be grateful. ⁣

To reflect on what my family members, both near and far, have done for me.

To ponder on the prophet Joseph and other spiritual leaders.

And to revere my Savior for His great atoning sacrifice and continued, sustaining help. ⁣

I will never fully understand all the sacrifices made to give me the plethora of privileges I enjoy. ⁣

But I can still learn about them and feel extreme gratitude for those who have given me my firm foundation.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post My kids will never understand first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Most of us grew up feeling comfortable attending the church we were born and raised in.

So our professor specifically wanted us to go somewhere we would be a bit uncomfortable.

I wanted to understand a specific group of people better, so I attended one of their meetings.

My professor was right!

I did feel a bit uncomfortable being in an atmosphere I wasn’t used to.

I didn’t “get” all the unspoken rules and routines that everyone else seemed familiar with.

I didn’t know a single person.

But I was also shocked at how much love and understanding I felt in my heart as I listened to the meeting.

Like, SO much love.

This taught me an important lesson that being willing to sacrifice our comfort can lead us straight to love.

When we humbly sacrifice for other people, whether it’s a group we don’t know, our child, or a ward member, we can’t help but grow in love for that person or group.

This means if we want to grow our loving relationship with the Lord, we need to be willing to sacrifice, too.

The Lord knows that it takes work to build that love:

“Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye, go ye out to meet him.” (D&C 133:19)

Jesus Christ loves us, and our willing sacrifice performed with good intentions will always produce greater love. 

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post An uncomfortable meeting  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I had recently moved into the ward. ⁣

My house was still being slowly organized.⁣

I was pretty sick and tired from pregnancy. ⁣

There was just a lot going on. ⁣

So, no thank you. I couldn’t handle my own life at the moment, which meant visiting my assigned sisters was not going to happen. ⁣

And then my new companion cornered me, and I quickly found myself agreeing to dates and times to go minister. ⁣

I picked up some cookies on the day we had planned, and met her at a house. We were invited inside. ⁣

And the conversation and company that flowed for the next unexpected two hours was so refreshing. ⁣

I found connection, I felt sympathy, I laughed, I shed a few tears, I served. ⁣

I’ve realized I’m really good at giving this excuse in a lot of areas in my life:

“Oh no, I can’t handle the simple day-to-day stuff right now, so I can’t take on anything else.”⁣

But time and time again, I’ve learned that when I try to give and serve in times that I lack, it is enough. ⁣

The amazing Kirtland saints didn’t wait until their bank accounts felt a litttttle more comfortable and all their debts were paid off before they donated their money. ⁣

“Out of our poverty we have given of our substance”. (D&C 109:5⁣)

They had nothing. And they still gave. ⁣

And with what they gave, they built the first holy temple to the Lord in this dispensation. ⁣

When I don’t think I have enough time to serve, but I do it anyways, I am always proven wrong. ⁣

Because… I’m always going to lack. ⁣

At least, it seems highly unlikely that at some point in my life I’ll be like, “Yeah, I’m totally comfortable now. I have nothing else to worry about and so NOW I’d like to serve others.”⁣

We are asked to serve from our own lack. ⁣

Of course, paying attention to when the line has crossed into unhealthy service. It’s okay to say no. ⁣

But I’ve come to learn that for the most part, I’m never going to feel like I’m “ready enough” to serve more or sacrifice more. ⁣

And yet, even in my complete and utter lack, the Lord can take what little I’m offering and transform it into a mighty miracle.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No ministering lessons please first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit

“—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink.” (D&C 19:18)

The final phrase of that scripture has always stood out to me.

Because the Savior of the world, faced with a truly painful and unpleasant task, asked not to have to face it.

At that moment, He did not want to drink the extremely bitter cup that had been placed before Him.

It is okay to ask.

It is okay to ask for our pains and sorrows to be taken away.

For our trials to end.

For our miracles to transform us.

But then, our perfect example said:

“Nevertheless, glory be to the Father.”(D&C 19:19)

Nevertheless…

God’s will be done.

We can ask for what we want…

While also submitting to the Father’s will if it is different from ours.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to not always love whatever life throws at me.

I can wish and pray that it was different.

But ultimately, I have found the most peace when I give glory to my Father, no matter the circumstances.

And when I do hard things, the greatest blessings await on the other side.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I don’t want to have to do this first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

But He said to NOT travel to find Him?

You had to stay at home.

How would you prepare mentally and spiritually?

When I know something spiritual is about to happen, my preparation makes a huge impact on my experience.

I’ve had stake conferences where I’ve embraced preparatory challenges or talks to study from my stake leaders.

I’ve also had stake conferences where I completely ignore them because I’m too busy.

And guess which stake conferences have been more meaningful to me?

The ones where I put in the hard work and sacrificed my personal time to prepare!

When Christ told the Nephites that He would be returning the next day, they all spread the word and went to work.

“An exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude.” (3 Nephi 19:3)

Preparation can be hard work.

It can be a sacrifice.

But putting in the effort to prepare for experiences with Jesus will always be worth it!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Preparing for Jesus first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The hen who has carried, borne, labored, and delivered her little chicks. ⁣

The hen who has nourished her little chicks time and time again, and gathered them every time they scattered. ⁣

There is such love because there was such sacrifice. ⁣

Selfless service and total sacrifice produce the purest love that is possible. ⁣

This is why our Savior loves us with such tender devotion. Because He sacrificed everything for us.⁣

For me. ⁣

His body was broken for me, and His mental capacity was overwhelmed with the weight of my sins.

And because He did that, He loves me fully and completely, in a special bond that can’t quite compare.⁣

Except to a mother. ⁣

Elder Holland gave his iconic, “Behold Thy Mother” talk in 2015, a few years before I became a mother. I remember thinking, “Wow. I can’t even imagine that kind of love.”⁣

“No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child.” – President Holland

I’m now a mom to three.

There is a lot of sacrifice in order to be a mother. My body has been broken, and healed, and broken, and healed. My mental capacities have been stretched to the limits. ⁣

And because of the sacrifice, there is great love. There is a special bond that comes from that ultimate service. ⁣

Of course anyone who sacrifices out of pure love can feel this bond, too.

But Christ Himself decided to compare His feelings of love to that of a mother.

“How oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.” (3 Nephi 10:4)

I think about the Motherly figures that He learned from, both in heaven and on earth. ⁣

It makes His comparison all the more powerful. ⁣

And so, when Christ calls to us, when He wants to gather us under His wings and give us nourishment, it isn’t out of duty or pity.⁣

It’s out of the pure love and devotion that can only come from a moment of total sacrifice.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The mother hen  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Other prophets converted entire cities and softened the hardest hearts. ⁣

But that wasn’t Abinadi’s mission.

His was to preach repentance to hardened hearts, convert young Alma who would be cast out, and die a brutal death. ⁣

We all have different missions here on earth. ⁣

Some will endure difficult financial situations.

Some will be saddled with mental illness.

Some will know the pain of losing loved ones prematurely.

But the thing that carries us through is our faith. ⁣

Abinadi figured out, at least by the time Noah was getting angry, that he would be sealing his words with his blood and that physical deliverance would not be his in this life. ⁣

And so, he was filled with that faith in God.

That peaceful faith that surpasses all reasoning.

That faith lasted even until the last moments as the flames surrounded him and he cried out:

“O God, receive my soul.” (Mosiah 17:19)

Do we have the faith in God to endure our personal missions? ⁣

We can’t compare them to other people’s because we’ve all been asked to endure different things.

But ultimately, our faith in God can help us endure our personal missions well.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Accepting the different paths first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.